On August 7, the Son Tra-Ngu Hanh Son Forest Protection Unit received a report of eight people picking wild grapes in the Ho Sau area in the Son Tra Nature Reserve.
Of the eight, seven were tourists from the southern region of Vietnam visiting Danang, who were guided to Son Tra Peninsula by a local man. They came across a grape tree laden with ripe red fruit, and their guide said it was edible, prompting the group to pick it together.
Wild grapes or Choi Moi in Son Tra (Photo Nguyen Viet Phat)
As the fruit was out of reach, the local first shook the tree, but when none fell, he climbed up and broke off branches for the others to pick.
Local authorities requested the tourists not to repeat the same action and summoned the local man to the Forest Protection Unit for further questioning.
He was then fined VND 1.25 million (USD 49). He admitted his wrongdoing and pledged to learn from the incident.
The incident has drawn widespread criticism after spreading on social media. According to many people, the action damaged the forest and harmed wildlife habitats.
Wild grapes are one of the food sources for monkeys and langurs on the peninsula.
